An Australian ad agency has faced significant backlash online for asking a business to provide it with a service in return for ‘exposure’.
So far the post has received more than 700 comments and 328,000 views since being posted to Reddit yesterday, with most users attacking the agency for undervaluing their work.
In the email exchange posted to the forum, a sales manager at one of “Australia’s largest advertising agencies” asks a person called Abs at the business, if they can place branding on five of Abs’ customised arcade cabinets.
However, instead of offering to pay for Abs’ work they offer ‘exposure’.
“As you can imagine, the exposure you will get alone will be enormous,” Briona said in the email.
“You will be allowed a business-sized card area where you can add your ‘manufactured by…’ contact details.”
Abs, who estimated the work would cost about $5,000, immediately hit back at the agency and subsequently posted the email exchange online.
“Five machines is a pretty hefty hit on the back pocket and I don’t think my landlord accepts exposure as payment,” Abs responded.
The original email
Abs continues trolling the ad agency over a few emails before Briona catches on saying ‘it seems you’ve been making light of the proposal from the beginning.
Abs responded with ‘paying someone in exposure is making light of their hard work’.
Users on Reddit echoed Abs’ irritation at being asked by a "large ad agency" for free work, with one user suggesting Abs respond with: “the fact that you found me shows that I have more than enough exposure already”.
Other users poked fun at the agency’s offer of a ‘business-sized card area’ where he can add his company details.
Comments from Reddit
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